Levi

 Levi and Jesus are connected in the New Testament in a clear and meaningful way.

Levi

• Who he was: A tax collector
• Other name: Matthew
• Background: Tax collectors were widely despised in Jewish society because they worked for Rome and were associated with corruption.
• Biblical reference: Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27

Jesus and Levi

• The calling:
  Jesus sees Levi sitting at the tax booth and simply says, “Follow me.”
  Levi gets up immediately and follows him.
• Radical meaning:
  Jesus calls someone socially rejected, showing that God’s grace is not based on status, purity, or reputation.
• Afterward:
  Levi hosts a meal with Jesus, inviting other tax collectors and sinners—leading Jesus to say:
  “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

Why This Matters

• Transformation: Levi leaves his old life behind.
• Grace over law: Jesus challenges religious boundaries.
• Discipleship: Levi (Matthew) later becomes one of the Twelve Apostles and is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Matthew.
• Symbolism:
  Levi represents those on the margins; Jesus represents divine mercy reaching them.

If you want, I can explain:

• why Matthew is called Levi
• the symbolism of Jesus eating with sinners
• or how this story fits into Jesus’ broader message

Just tell me which direction you’d like to go.